Page 58 of Storm Warning
The alcohol heats my chest and I spill a little while filling up her glass. She downs it quickly then turns away from the counter, to which I gladly set the bottle down. I’m definitely cut off for now.
“Sheesh, Sawyer, this place is amazing. I can’t imagine you don’t get this question all the time, but where are the cattle?” Like anyone with eyes, the first words to cross her lips nearly matched my own.
I spend my time tracing her body with my stare and barely hear his answer. As always, her outfit leaves little to the imagination, she wears a t-shirt that bares her belly button ring and shorts that just barely hide her amazing ass. Good God, what I wouldn’t do to take her back to the bunkhouse right now if I could. “In the meantime, we’ve got some horses in the barn,” Sawyer says.
A mischievous grin crosses her luscious lips and I can already tell she’s feeling the spirits in her chest too. “Ah, yes, can’t have a dipshit cowboy without his trusty steed,” she jests, but this time her warm laugh follows. “Well, let’s see them. It’s been a while since I’ve pet a horse.”
I march between Sawyer and Daisy, making sure my body makes contact with Kaylee’s as I pass by. If I can’t be all over her, a single touch will have to do.
As always, Wrangler finds interest in whoever’s entered the barn first. He swings his head over his gate and releases a happy neigh, to which he receives pats right away from Sawyer. “This is my horse, Wrangler, and right next door is the love of his life.” He motions towards the next stall. I hear his words but I’m so focused on Kaylee’s tiny shorts—and my buzz—I can barely find the nerve to pay attention.
Forcing my gaze away from her before I do something like reach over and kiss her, I focus on Jelly Bean in the back of her stall. “No one here loves anyone more than I love Angel.” The words tumble from my lips before I even realize what I’m actually saying.
Kaylee nearly chokes on the beer poised to her lips, her appalled stare meeting mine.
Oh shit, so maybe all those shots weren’t such a great idea.
She composes herself, her glare softening a bit into uncertainty. I don’t think I love her, that would be a stretch after only a few dates, but this is definitely not the way I’d tell her if I did.
The issue from earlier wasn’t me. I’m sure of that now. If it were, she wouldn’t be looking at me like this. But I still don’t particularly like the look in her eyes. Usually filled with fire and fury, right now they remind me more of a deer in headlights.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
A breath escapes from her chest that would make any man hold his own.
Here it comes.She’s gonna fuck me up for that comment, for sure.
“Listen dumbshit, that’s flattering and all, but that is definitely the alcohol talking, and I’d say it’s time for someone to cut you off.” She’s crass in her delivery, and if I want to fix this, I better back-peddle, and fast.
Good ol’ Jelly Bean peeks out of her stall, and I know the only way out of this is through. I may not know if I love Kaylee, but I do know I love Angelica more than anyone loves anything.
“Well, now, Angel, I can see how you’d be confused—though I sensed a bit of hope in that outburst of yours—but there’s two Angels in my life, and the one I’m talkin’ about just so happens to be my horse.” Kaylee’s jaw drops open, and I don’t know if she thinks it was funny or if I royally pissed her off. The world feels a bit off-kilter now that the shots have fully set in, and it could be the buzz, but, I swear, I see her hide a laugh, to which I reply, “Jealous, much?”
Her fist meets my chest, but it doesn’t hurt, it’s playful. “I’m not your Angel.”
My lips swerve up into a grin. I know she likes our tit for tat. “Then where’s the mix-up?”
Daisy lets out a laugh that pulls my attention away from Kaylee, she’s worried I went too hard. Not only is it written all over Daisy’s face, but her hand slaps over her mouth the moment my eyes meet hers.
Everyone’s shots hit, maybe not as much, but each of us burst into laughter. And sure enough, my plan worked. At least for now.
35
KAYLEE - JULY 24, 2004
“You havea funny way of comparing me and farm animals,” I say facetiously.
I sit down in the dirt, the warmth of the fire caressing the skin of my calves as I load another marshmallow onto a skewer. I raise it over the fire, waiting patiently, rotating it slowly so that it will turn a nice caramel brown. Daisy and Sawyer disappeared some time ago, claiming they both wanted a snack, and by snack I’d be willing to bet they meant each other. Rhett takes a seat beside me and we both stare at the flame as it flickers, dancing in the air.
“Ya have a funny way of assumin’ I was talkin’ about ya.” His words are blurred together with a whiskey smile and a laugh. “Don’t worry Jelly Bean doesn’t mind sharin’ her man.”
I squint, glaring at him.Did he just slip up? “I thought her name was Angel?” I question.
For a moment, he has a wide-eyed stare, but he composes himself quickly. “Well, her real name is Angelica, most people call her Angel for short, but I normally call her Jelly Bean. She’s a lady of many names. Just like you.”
“Pretty sure you only ever call me Angel.” My stare remains suspicious.
“Depends on the point in our ever bloomin’ relationship. At first, ya were that hot blonde. Didn’t know ya, but couldn’t forget ya.”
